Darebin Falcons strengthened by AFLW signings, look for swift return to VFLW finals in 2019
With the rise of AFLW, Darebin Falcons have become synonymous with women’s football and the VFLW powerhouse has high expectations that go beyond wins and losses in 2019.
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With the rise of AFLW, Darebin Falcons have become synonymous with women’s football.
The Preston club has helped develop superstars Daisy Pearce, Karen Paxman, Mel Hickey, Katie Brennan, Jess Dal Pos and Darcy Vescio among others and remains a VFLW powerhouse.
High expectations come with the club’s legacy of success after it claimed 10 VFLW premierships between 2006 and 2017.
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While the Falcons surprisingly missed the finals last year — finishing fifth — coach Michael Ericson said they had set their sights high in 2019.
“The expectation is, being a women’s football club, to promote women in football,” Ericson said.
“We want to do that, support that and get as many drafted as possible.
“We’ve had such a strong culture in the past we get AFLW players consistently coming down and assisting at training.
“They don’t need to come down, but they love the club, so they want to keep coming back. The only pressure is to continue the strong club feel.”
Darebin will once again be one of the teams to beat in 2019, but the rapid expansion of women’s football has resulted in a dramatic change in personnel.
AFLW-listed players Lauren Pearce, Elise O’Dea and Brooke Patterson (Melbourne) and Jamie Stanton (Gold Coast) have committed for 2019 with more signings expected.
Steph Simpson will captain the Falcons this season, with Annalyse Lister named vice-captain.
Rachel Ashley and Molly Eastman have being training with AFLW expansion club West Coast and are set for big years with an eye to the draft in October.
Midfield-defender Lauren Szigeti and key forward Georgia Hammond are also line for a spot in the AFLW ranks after quality pre-seasons, according to Ericson.
Darebin kicks off its VFLW campaign on Saturday when it hosts Richmond at Preston City Oval.
Ericson said his team had enjoyed a solid pre-season and he was excited to get the season started.
“What we’ve done over the pre-season has been really good and hopefully that transitions to a few wins,” he said.
“With the make-up of AFLW and where girls are playing, we’ll have a sizeable list turnover from last year, which is exciting and challenging at the same time.”
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